Help me improve my English!

[Delphine]

I've wanted to do this for a little while, but I never dared to before, because I was afraid that I wouldn't be taken seriously, or that I might be made fun of... But here it is, my
Help me improve my English! thread​

As you may or may not know, I am French - yes, I know, I say it all the time. But that's only because I'm always afraid I'm saying something stupid that doesn't make any sense, or that has bad grammar or spelling ;_; And no, I'm not always bringing it up because I'm super proud or something like that, I don't care I mean... it's not my fault, I was just born in France, it's not an accomplishment ._.

To be honest, I don't think I have a lot of issues when it comes to having a basic conversation with someone, I can pretty much watch any movie/TV show in English with no sub and basically understand everything. But when it comes to more complicated vocabulary or expressions, I'm a little lost. For instance, I tried to read some articles from The Economist, although I understood most of it, there were some words or sentences that made me think, 'Okay, I'm just going to pretend you don't exist'... Same happened when I watched 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' when I was in London (so no subs to help). I know Robert Downey Jr speaks really fast but WOW. Even the vocabulary was so complicated. And when people laughed, I didn't even understand why T^T

You must be wondering, 'How can we help? Just use a dictionary or online translation lol', well first of all, online translation sucks, and I mean it, never use it! Second, dictionaries are cool for vocabulary but not for grammar or stuff like that.

What would be really helpful would be to tell me new expressions or idioms, like, 'it's raining cats and dogs' or 'pet peeve' with their meaning... or just words you think you may use sometimes but are a little more elaborate. Basic stuff such as 'Can I use the bathroom?' or 'What's your favorite color' is a little useless I'm afraid xD Or just synonym words, so I can improve my vocabulary...

In advance, thanks everyone! I really want to be bilingual one day ?u?
of course letting me know if there's any mistake in this post is also greatly appreciated, lol

And, I anyone needs help with French (because it's a hell of a complicated language, I'm so glad it's my native tongue), I'm all yours! I can translate stuff for you, give you some advices, let you know about cool videos, movies, music... tell you about our government, politics, culture, History...

NEW - here is a link to the 'Ask Delphine what the meaning of life is' thread, where you can ask me anything. Questions would be nice, as they could be a way for me to practice my English. Thanks!

 

[Gregriii]

I wanted to do it too, but, I was afraid too xD Well, GL! Yo could do like my thread but with french lol

 

[Alvery]

Hmmm... I can't think of any phrases right now, off the top of my head (it means at the moment). ;~; Any things you don't understand? I'll try my best to explain them.

 

[Flop]

Uh, you have a better grasp of grammatical concepts than half the people on this site. I don't think you need to worry

Also, fran?ais FTW!

 

[jackofspadesman]

I would be glad to help so long as some examples are given, but I can't think of anything to help you with as of now...

 

[Delphine]

Hmmm... I can't think of any phrases right now, off the top of my head (it means at the moment). ;~; Any things you don't understand? I'll try my best to explain them.

Well right now there's not really anything I can think of, I do understand it's hard to come up with examples... x)
Ooh maybe if someone could tell me the difference between 'of' and 'off'? When I Googled it I didn't understand the difference...

Uh, you have a better grasp of grammatical concepts than half the people on this site. I don't think you need to worry

Also, fran?ais FTW!

Aw that's so nice, thank you ;u;/

I would be glad to help so long as some examples are given, but I can't think of anything to help you with as of now...

Well you just taught me 'as of now' so thanks :'D

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I wanted to do it too, but, I was afraid too xD Well, GL! Yo could do like my thread but with french lol

Thanks! Yeah, maybe I'll do that later c:

 

[Alvery]

And urgh, French (no offense intended) ;~; My French oral exam (l'examen oral) is coming up... I'm so dead (as in, I'm probably going to fail) What possessed me to take up a third language that's so complicated?

 

[Delphine]

And urgh, French (no offense intended) ;~; My French oral exam (l'examen oral) is coming up... I'm so dead (as in, I'm probably going to fail) What possessed me to take up a third language that's so complicated?

Don't worry, I know it's super hard, even in France people speak it in a really loosy way... it's sad. If you want me to help you get prepared, I can totally do that!
For my English oral exam, I had to talk about the notion of 'Myths and heroes', and I decided to talk about Captain America. Then for my Spanish oral exam, I picked up the notion 'Places and forms of power' and I talked about Captain America again as the incarnation of the American soft-power x)

 

[Twinrova]

I'll try to help you understand the difference between 'of' and 'off',

'Of' has many uses, but it doesn't really have a meaning. It's used to connect words together in a variety of ways (just used it!). Examples- 'Queen of England', 'ringing of bells', 'icing of the cake'.

'Off' actually has a proper meaning (well, a few different meanings). It can mostly be thought of as the opposite of 'on'. Some examples- 'the light is off', 'he fell off the horse', 'we are off school tomorrow' (meaning they don't need to go to school).

It's pretty confusing, but I hope this helped clear it up a little bit!

Also, 'of' is pronounced with a 'v' sound, and 'off' is pronounced with an 'f' sound.

 

[Delphine]

I'll try to help you understand the difference between 'of' and 'off',

'Of' has many uses, but it doesn't really have a meaning. It's used to connect words together in a variety of ways (just used it!). Examples- 'Queen of England', 'ringing of bells', 'icing of the cake'.

'Off' actually has a proper meaning (well, a few different meanings). It can mostly be thought of as the opposite of 'on'. Some examples- 'the light is off', 'he fell off the horse', 'we are off school tomorrow' (meaning they don't need to go to school).

It's pretty confusing, but I hope this helped clear it up a little bit!

Also, 'of' is pronounced with a 'v' sound, and 'off' is pronounced with an 'f' sound.

That's really helpful! Thank you very much for your time!

 

[Lio Fotia]

If you ever need help please let me know. My native tongue is Te Ro Maori so I understand the struggle that is the English language. I have difficulty sometimes even after 20 years speaking it.

 

[Delphine]

If you ever need help please let me know. My native tongue is Te Ro Maori so I understand the struggle that is the English language. I have difficulty sometimes even after 20 years speaking it.

Thank you, that's nice of you!

 

[Alvery]

Of is:
1) Belonging to or relating to someone or something. Example: That's the house of Joe.
2) Used to show an amount. Example: I need a pound of oranges.
3) Used to show numbers, dates and ages. Example: We have a girl of five (years old).
4) Containing or consisting of. Example: Please give me a glass of water.
5) Used to show a reason. Example: He died of a heart attack.
6) About or showing something or someone. Example: This is a story of love and hate.
7) Used to show which one. Example: The country of France (= The country called France)
8) Used to show a characteristic. Example: She is a woman of great power (=she has a lot of power)
9) Living or coming from a certain place. Example: The people of Spain are called Spaniards.

Off is:
1) Not touching something or removed. Example: His glasses fell off.
2) Away from a place. Example: She ran off.
3) Not operating or not at work. (I think this would be rather hard to understand?) Example: Turn off your computer./I need a year off. (=I need a year's break)
4) Canceled. Example: The wedding is off.
5) Near a place. Example: Their motel was just off the main road.
6) Far away. Example: Your birthday is a long way off.
7) Less. Example: All apples are %15 off until the end of the day.
8) Wrong. (this is slang) Example: I feel off. (= I don't feel well)/Oh my god, you were so off on that question! (=Your answer to that question was really wrong/off the mark.)


In simple terms: Of shows connection. Off shows disconnection.

 

[Lauren]

Your English seems fine to me! If you need help with it, venture into the IRC, fast paced conversation that slows down, you could learn from there!

 

[Delphine]

Of is:
1) Belonging to or relating to someone or something. Example: That's the house of Joe.
2) Used to show an amount. Example: I need a pound of oranges.
3) Used to show numbers, dates and ages. Example: We have a girl of five (years old).
4) Containing or consisting of. Example: Please give me a glass of water.
5) Used to show a reason. Example: He died of a heart attack.
6) About or showing something or someone. Example: This is a story of love and hate.
7) Used to show which one. Example: The country of France (= The country called France)
8) Used to show a characteristic. Example: She is a woman of great power (=she has a lot of power)
9) Living or coming from a certain place. Example: The people of Spain are called Spaniards.

Off is:
1) Not touching something or removed. Example: His glasses fell off.
2) Away from a place. Example: She ran off.
3) Not operating or not at work. (I think this would be rather hard to understand?) Example: Turn off your computer./I need a year off. (=I need a year's break)
4) Canceled. Example: The wedding is off.
5) Near a place. Example: Their motel was just off the main road.
6) Far away. Example: Your birthday is a long way off.
7) Less. Example: All apples are %15 off until the end of the day.
8) Wrong. (this is slang) Example: I feel off. (= I don't feel well)/Oh my god, you were so off on that question! (=Your answer to that question was really wrong/off the mark.)


In simple terms: Of shows connection. Off shows disconnection.

Wow, such a complete explanation! Thank you! I didn't know 'off' could mean 'wrong', or 'far away'.
So if I want to say, 'I am going to a certain place', shall I say 'I am off to a certain place'?

 

[Alvery]

Don't worry, I know it's super hard, even in France people speak it in a really loosy way... it's sad. If you want me to help you get prepared, I can totally do that!
For my English oral exam, I had to talk about the notion of 'Myths and heroes', and I decided to talk about Captain America. Then for my Spanish oral exam, I picked up the notion 'Places and forms of power' and I talked about Captain America again as the incarnation of the American soft-power x)

Thanks for the offer, but I don't really need help probably going to fail no matter what you do XP. If it gets really, really, bad, I could always say: Je suis desol?e, je ne comprends pas. (the only thing I really know how to say in French XD)

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Wow, such a complete explanation! Thank you! I didn't know 'off' could mean 'wrong', or 'far away'.
So if I want to say, 'I am going to a certain place', shall I say 'I am off to a certain place'?

Yep, that's correct

 

[Delphine]

Your English seems fine to me! If you need help with it, venture into the IRC, fast paced conversation that slows down, you could learn from there!

Thanks! And that's a nice advice, I'll take a look! n_n

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Thanks for the offer, but I don't really need help probably going to fail no matter what you do XP. If it gets really, really, bad, I could always say: Je suis desol?e, je ne comprends pas. (the only thing I really know how to say in French XD)

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Yep, that's correct

Yay, I got that right! xD

As you wish! Good luck anyway, I hope it's going to be fine ;_;/

 

[Alvery]

Good luck with learning English It's really too darn complicated for it's own good... Do you know that English is the only language where a house can burn up as it burns down? XD

 

[Saylor]

You seem to have a very good grasp of English from the little I've seen you write. If you ever need help with anything or can think of something specific you're confused about, I'd be happy to help. If I were you I'd continue watching and reading things in English, even if some things are hard to understand, it's a great way to help you learn more. :]

 

[Delphine]

Good luck with learning English It's really too darn complicated for it's own good... Do you know that English is the only language where a house can burn up as it burns down? XD

Haha! Now that's a funny fact xD English is actually less hard than French in my opinion, and it really helps to have so many great TV shows and movies! ?w?
I'm kind of ashamed to say this but I learned most of my English thanks to South Park...

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You seem to have a very good grasp of English from the little I've seen you write. If you ever need help with anything or can think of something specific you're confused about, I'd be happy to help. If I were you I'd continue watching and reading things in English, even if some things are hard to understand, it's a great way to help you learn more. :]

Thank you! That's nice of you!

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Oh I know what I would need! Other ways to say:

- helpful
- complicated/hard
- nice/kind